2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador may experience unwanted Antilock Brake System (ABS) activation and increased stopping distances during low-speed brake application (less than 16 km/h and greater than 6 km/h).  This condition does not set any ABS codes nor does it illuminate the ABS warning lamp.  Correction: Dealers will remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply Zinc-X to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications.

On certain vehicles, the galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position can corrode over time and fracture when loads are applied to them.  Tailgate support cable corrosion may not be visible because of the plastic sheathing covering the cable.  If one cable fractured, the remaining cable may retain the tailgate in a horizontal position.  If the remaining cable was weakened by corrosion, it could fracture within moments of the first cable fracture.  If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop approximately 10 degrees and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.  If anyone is sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fracture, they could fall and be injured.  On vehicles without a rear bumper, the tailgate may drop to a lower position.  Correction:  Dealers will replace the existing galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables.

Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 209, seat belt assemblies. These vehicles have a condition where one or two sensors in the driver's and front seat passengers seat belt retractors may be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as during heavy braking, may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant. Correction update: None required as no effect on vehicle safety. See recall 04-158.